EC cautions arvind Kejriwal on pamphlets appealing for Muslim votes

The Election Commission on Friday rejected Arvind Kejriwal’s contention on distribution of pamphlets appealing to Muslims to vote for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) during Delhi polls, holding that it amounted to model code violation and cautioned him to be careful in future poll campaigns.
‘Having regard to the totality of facts and circumstances of the case and submissions and contentions made by you in your reply under reference, the Commission hereby conveys its concern, and cautions you to be more careful in the election campaigns of your party in future,’ the EC order to the Delhi Chief Minister said. The Commission held that he had made an appeal in the pamphlet to a particular religious community for securing votes in favour of AAP, which it found to be a violation of sub para (3) of Para I of Model Code of Conduct which bars anyone from making an appeal for votes on religious lines. The poll body said it was not satisfied with the explanation furnished by Kejriwal who contended that the language used in the pamphlet should be read in totality and claimed that he was trying to promote communal harmony.